AIK put the foot on the gas at home against Halmstad in front of over 39,000 spectators at Strawberry Arena in Solna.
The chances rained down on HBK goalkeeper Tim Rönning, who had a busy first half.
The new acquisition was a success
After shots off the frame, balls cleared off the goal line and fine saves from Rönning, AIK got their reward in the 21st minute.
A free kick from Aron Csongvai's right foot landed on Zadok Yohanna's forehead. The header hit the post and the ball ended up in front of new signing Ibrahim Cissé, who was able to score 1–0.
Yohanna was the standout player in the first half and was behind most of AIK's goals.
"The first half is very positive. We make a lot of good decisions," goal scorer Cissé told TV4 Play during the break.
The good decisions weren't as numerous in the second half.
AIK's pressure eased considerably and Halmstad was able to equalize through substitute Otso Liimatta, who was given a free shot after a set piece.
Successful double substitution
Then AIK's new head coach José Riveiro made a double substitution. Axel Kouame and Victor Andersson came in instead of Amel Mujanic and Bersant Celina. The changes had the desired effect immediately.
First, Andersson had a great chance to decide the match, but once again Tim Rönning in the Halmstad goal denied him with a huge save with his left hand.
Then Zadok Yohanna stepped into the action again. The 18-year-old received the ball in a wing position out on the right, passed three HBK defenders and sent in the winning goal for AIK.
"A good day, right? This was so much fun," Yohanna told TV4 Play and continued:
"I played well but I have a lot to learn. We keep going."
The Nigerian came to AIK last summer and, after a tough first period at the club, has taken huge steps during the preseason.
"The future looks bright"
"I'm just so happy to score my first league goal. Now we're going to celebrate with the team," says Yohanna.
AIK coach José Riveiro is satisfied with the result and the team's big premiere hero.
"He has great potential, but he is also a team player. He is a young guy who is doing a fantastic job. The future looks bright," says Riveiro.
At the same time, top-flight football was also played between Kalmar FF and Västerås. The away team VSK took home three points after an own goal early in the first half.
